LIVE: RIP Raju Srivastava - From Rs 50 per show to King of Comedy - INSPIRING LIFE!

From Rs 50 per show to ''King of Comedy'': Raju Srivastava''s inspiring life

The Indian comedy galactic cluster lost its brightest star in the form of Raju Shrivastav, who passed away around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at AIIMS, New Delhi. Srivastava`s journey to become one of the most widely recognised Indian comedians was rife with struggles and reinventions as an artiste and as a person.

Raju was born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, to a government employee and poet, Ramesh Chandra Srivastava, and homemaker, Saraswati Srivastava. Named Satya Prakash Srivastava at birth, Raju harboured the dream of becoming a comic artiste since his childhood and he moved to Mumbai in the 1980s to give a definitive shape to his dream.

He initially struggled to get work because comedy was a new art form for the mainstream back then. To make ends meet, Raju started driving an auto-rickshaw but kept his passion alive by performing in stand-up shows for a measly sum of Rs 50.

After a few years later, he landed a small role in the Bollywood movie `Tezaab` in 1988. He then went on to work in the Salman Khan-starrer `Maine Pyar Kiya` in yet another little-noticed role.

Srivastava continued doing low-profile gigs, including appearing in Shah Rukh Khan`s `Baazigar` until Doordarshan`s `Tea Time Manoranjan` happened to him in 1994. Later, he bagged a role in `Shaktimaan`, which is arguably India`s first sci-fi show with some backward special effects.

He got the nation`s attention in `The Great Indian Laughter Challenge`, where he was the second runner-up, but he went on to win the title of `King of Comedy` in the spin-off show, `The Great Indian Laughter Challenge - Champions`.

His stage characters of Gajodhar and Manodhar on the show have been loved by everyone. One of the episodes, which was the highlight of the show, was his Diwali special act wherein he appeared as different types of firecrackers that are burst during the festival.

He also appeared in the third season of the reality television show `Bigg Boss`, `Nach Baliye 6` and `Comedy Nights With Kapil`.

Later in 2014, he ventured into politics and was fielded on the ticket of the Samajwadi Party from Kanpur for the Lok Sabha elections. He returned the ticket, however, saying he was not getting enough support from the local units of the party. After that, he joined Bharatiya Janata Party on March 19, 2014.

Later, he served as the brand ambassador of Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s Swachh Bharat campaign and was the Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Film Development Council. In that capacity, he laid the foundation for the upcoming NOIDA film city project.

Battling odds, but on his own terms, was Srivastava`s way of life. A mortal human at the end of it, he lost his last fight, stretching over 43 days, against death. But his work has assured him immortality.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his counterpart in Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar said Srivastava will always live in people's hearts.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Srivastava took the genre of comedy to new heights with his talent and hard work. "The death of Shri Raju Shrivastava ji, who entertained everyone throughout his life with his innovative art skills, is extremely sad. Expressing my condolences to the bereaved family, I pray to God for the peace of the departed soul," he said in a tweet. He made a commendable contribution for the uplift of the traditional art forms of the state through the Uttar Pradesh Film Development Council, Adityanath added.

Condoling his demise, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said,"Very sad to hear the demise of famous comedian Raju Srivastava ji. May God give place to the departed soul at his feet".

BJP president J P Nadda said Srivastava left an indelible mark on the world of comedy. "I am speechless to hear the news of the demise of well known comedian Shri Raju Shrivastava ji. My condolences to his family and fans in this hour of mourning. May God bless the virtuous soul at his feet," Nadda wrote.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said Srivastava was an inspiration for many.
"His passing marks the end of the era of a genre of comedy, it is not possible to fill the void created by his death. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and their fans. May God give place to the departed soul at his feet," Thakur tweeted.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh remembered Srivastava as an adept performer who had a cheerful personality. "I am deeply saddened by the death of popular comedian-actor Raju Srivastava...He was also very active in the field of social activities. I express my condolences to his bereaved family and his admirers," the minister said.

Srivastava had a heart attack on August 10 while working out at a Delhi hotel. He was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) where he underwent an angioplasty procedure. He had been on the ventilator since and never regained consciousness.

Srivastava had a heart attack on August 10 while working out at a Delhi hotel. He was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) where he underwent an angioplasty procedure. He had been on the ventilator since and never regained consciousness.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other leaders on Wednesday condoled the death of popular comedian Raju Srivastava, remembering him as an adept performer who brightened lives with laughter and positivity. Srivastava, who made a mark as a stand-up comic and later entered politics, died after more than 40 days in a Delhi hospital. He was 58. He had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2014. The prime minister tweeted, "Raju Srivastava brightened our lives with laughter, humour and positivity. He leaves us too soon but he will continue to live in the hearts of countless people thanks to his rich work over the years. His demise is saddening. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti."

Kailash Kher asks Raju Srivastava''s fans to ''stand with his family''

Singer Kailash Kher has urged the fans and friends of late comedian Raju Srivastava to pray for the peace of his soul and stand with his family at this difficult time for them.

Kher said: "Despite our so many prayers and rituals, Raju Srivastav, our family friend and elder brother, is no more with us. This news is very painful and I request everyone to be part of the prayers.

"I pray to God to give strength to the family to face this pain and stay strong in this tough time. May his soul attain salvation."

Srivastava passed away on September 21, 43 days after he suffered a cardiac arrest in a South Delhi on August 10 and was then rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

The well-known actor, comedian, TV host and dancer Jaaved Jaaferi spoke about late `King of Comedy` Raju Srivastava. What made him popular was his very earthy and deeply rooted comedy, Jaaferi said.

He said: "I knew Raju because when he started off his career, he was doing small stage shows. At that point I was impressed. He was a simple guy, but his humour was very earthy, very Indian rooted, coming from a small town, but catering to a very wider Indian sensibility. Not only on shows, but wherever he stood among the people, he used to make them laugh."

He recalled looking at Raju`s performance in the dance competition series `Boogie Woogie` which was judged by him.

"He came on `Boogie Woogie` as a performer and then I did a show `JBC` that was a political, social satire on a channel around 2002 or 2003 and he was an integral part of the show as an actor. And in fact I spoke to him over several times."

Jaaved added: "After Johnny Lever bhai, Raju connected very well with the audience. Coming from a small town he knew the nerves of the non-English speaking sector and in fact he bridged the gap between English and non-English speaking audience through his comedy shows. His contribution as a comedian was great and he will be missed always for that. He was too young to go."

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tribute to popular comedian Raju Srivastava, saying he "brightened our lives with laughter, humour and positivity". Srivastava, who made a mark as a stand-up comic and later entered politics, died after more than 40 days in hospital. He was 58. He had joined the BJP in 2014.

The prime minister tweeted, "Raju Srivastava brightened our lives with laughter, humour and positivity. He leaves us too soon but he will continue to live in the hearts of countless people thanks to his rich work over the years. His demise is saddening. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti."

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda too condoled with Srivastava's fans and families, calling the comedian's death sad. 

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda too condoled with Srivastava's fans and families, calling the comedian's death sad.